English experimentalist quartet The Fierce & The Dead have made a video for Shake The Jar, a track from their forthcoming new album News From The Invisible World: "a brave record, bringing their vulnerability that was always there into the spotlights (...) At this stage of their career, they can do no wrong. Upward and onward".
June 30, 2023
Phish: new archival release Osaka 2000
Another archival Phish release is available for streaming and download: 06/16/2000 Zepp Osaka, Osaka, Japan:
In summer 1999, Phish traveled to Asia for the first time to play Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival. Fish had traveled to Japan in 1998 and sat in with Tokyo band Big Frog during his visit, but this was most locals’ first chance to experience live Phish. They played an unprecedented 3-night headline engagement within the festival on their own idyllic, Field Of Heaven stage. With those three Fuji Rock shows plus a normal festival slot on the more prominent Green Stage, the connection with Japanese fans was born. Phish returned to Japan in June of 2000 for a 7-show club tour supporting the release of the Farmhouse Japanese edition CD, which included two bonus songs, Driver and Mist, not on the U.S. release (the bonus Japanese tracks were re-released in 2023 on vinyl 7-inch). The 2000 Japan tour saw a new arrangement of The Meatstick with Japanese lyrics debuted June 9th at On Air East in Tokyo, and Big Frog as the opening act June 11th at Tokyo’s Hibya Outdoor Theatre. The 6/14/00 Drum Logos Fukuoka show was recorded and released as ‘Live Phish Vol. 4’, and the mini-tour wrapped up with two Osaka shows - the first at Big Cat Osaka followed by the tour closer at Zepp Osaka.
June 29, 2023
The Happy Somethings: Daisy Bracelet
English quirky pop trio The Happy Somethings offer their new single Daisy Bracelet in two flavours: a psychedelic "yellow heart version" and a darker echo-heavy "petal version". Sometimes telling the story of a girl who does not fit in, but is always free, can't be done in two-and-a-half minutes, so they went for it again. The different backing tracks add different moods to the lyrics, and that changes the perspective a bit, which is a good thing indeed.
Asynchrone: Plastic Bamboo
photo: Clémentine Poquet
French electro jazz sextet Asynchrone have made a sunny side up version of Ryuichi Sakamoto's Plastic Bamboo, making it sound like a track from a late 60s movie filmed at the French Riveira about a couple getting into trouble with some sketchy types. On top of a punchy synths and drums they added layers of traditional instruments, with the flute and piano leading the way. It is the title track of a full album of reworkings of the material of the Japanese composer and electronic music pioneer.
June 28, 2023
Phish: Fall tour dates
Jam band Phish has announced a short Fall tour, playing multiple shows in Nashville, Dayton and Chicago. Ticket prices has gone up, way up. Also: fees (20% for the shows in the Windy City).
A ticket request period is currently underway at tickets.phish.com, ending Monday, July 10th at noon ET. Tickets go on sale to the public beginning Saturday, July 15th at 10AM ET. Specific ticketing information for each show is available at phish.com/tours.
Johnny Dowd: show in Toronto
Musical maverick Johnny Dowd has added a show in Toronto to his current tour. On August 25 he will play at The Monarch Tavern, sharing the bill with Easy Pieces and Kensington Hillbillys. Tickets are available here.
Live dates:- 07/16 Ithaca, NY @ Music at the Market
- 07/22 Trumansburg NY @ Grassroots Art Barn (Grassroots Music Festival)
- 08/11 Ithaca, NY @ Artists Market
- 08/19 Buffalo, NY @ House Party
- 08/25 Toronto, ON @ The Monarch
- 09/13 Ithaca, NY @ Angry Mom Records
- 09/30 Boston MA @ The Square Root
- 10/01 Lowell, MA @ Worthen House Cafe
HCTF review of Johnny's tunes for Special Occasions.
Dez Dare: "Uncanny Velocity" video
Darren Smallman has posted a no-frills video for Uncanny Velocity, a track by his one-man garage-punk band Dez Dare that can be found his Critical Mind Dump EP: "Smallman has carved his own niche in the UK guitar underground. He welcomes visitors, provided that they are willing and able to deal with his DIY attitude. It might get loud, but that is the gist of his special brand of off-kilter music that will strike a chord with fans of Pere Ubu".
HCTF review of Critical Mind Dump.
June 27, 2023
Modern Nature: Murmuration
Composer Jack Cooper always gives the musicians of his band Modern Nature plenty of opportunity to contribute to his meandering songs. Murmuration, the lead single from the forthcoming new album No Fixed Point In Space, moves slowly, with a guitar and drums leading the way. As the track processes more instruments join in, making it listening experience not unlike seeing the contours of a photo showing up in the dark room. Woodwinds, brass and strings all work together to create a free flowing, almost abstract, tapestry of sounds.
Midwestern Dirt: The Aaron Waters Show
Chicago alternative rock band Midwestern Dirt reminisce about the annual, rather loud Air & Water Show in their hometown by way of wordplay on their new single, The Aaron Waters Show. The festivities are known for the booming aircraft making runs across the city and, while it is bit scary, it is also a reminder that Summer is reaching its peak. Which is no consolation at all when the singer's love life is apparently going South.
College rock stations with a soft spot for early 90s guitar bands will play the Hell out of this song. It is the lead single for their new album Twilight at a Burning Hill, due for release on August 18.
June 26, 2023
The Fierce & The Dead: News From The Invisible World
English prog experimentalists The Fierce & The Dead had been always very vocal about not wanting to repeat themselves, but when Wonderful, the first track of what become the News From The Invisible World album, was released last year longtime followers of the band had to wrap their heads around something very different indeed: bass player Kev Feazey singing. That was a first for the band, who never bothered with words, but let the music do the talking. O, and there was a bit saxophone and trumpet on it as well, courtesy of Terry Edwards (PJ Harvey / Spiritualized / Faust).
After the initial shock had subsided, people came to realize that adding vocals made perfect sense for a band that always looking for ways to extend their musical pallette, a sentiment that was enhanced by the second single Golden Thread, an adventurous song that boldly switches from metal to prog, surf and avant-garde, with dark and stark washes of guitar and synths riding on top of the groundswell of bass and drums. News From The Invisible World is a brave record, bringing their vulnerability that was always there into the spotlights. Guitarists Matt Stevens and Steve Cleaton have each other's back throughout it, deploying the art of weaving that makes a great band sound bigger than its component parts, especially during Non-Player that is as close as they ever got to write a power ballad.
Jessica Blaise Ward: Ragequit
English singer Jessica Blaise Ward describes shying away from a major angry outburst on her new single Ragequit. She settled for a South American jazzy mood, but it is clear that she is still shimmering and she raises her voice as the track progresses.
After a lengthy crystalline guitar solo commandeers the spotlights, she steps up to the mike again for a show of the upper reaches of her impressive range. This will no doubt frustate her students - she is a Senior Lecturer of songwriting for BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance at Leeds Arts University - when they try to replicate it. Kudos to Jan Hajsen for the top shelf dynamics.
June 25, 2023
Duo Decad: the twelfth hour
Ecletic electronics outfit Duo Decad is a transatlantic collaboration between former Able Archer singer Emmet McCaughey (Dublin) and Mark Casey (Chicago). With their shared love for 80s music, they go in at the deep end on their debut album the twelfth hour, a collection of songs about getting older, love, loss and, trying to cope.
With choice elements from post-punk, new wave and synth-pop, McCaughey and Casey offer a fine collection of melancholic yet hopeful songs. They are out of step with what is popular right now, but in the long run they have far better change that their music will stand the test time. Good melodies have a tendency to age well and there are plenty of them to be found on this album.
Neil Young & The Santa Monica Flyers: massive "Tonight's The Night" in Chicago in 1973
Scott Bunn of music blog Recliner Notes has posted an extensive article of a legendary rendition of Tonight's The Night by Neil Young & The Santa Monica Flyers at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, IL, on November 20, 1973. He carefully dissects each section, and offers background information on all the songs that were referenced throughout the massive - nearly 35 minutes! - of a non-crowd-pleasing performance that is heartbreakingly beautiful.
June 24, 2023
Cover Me: Not Fade Away
Watch Patti Smith perform the Buddy Holly classic Not Fade Away, followed seamlessly by Memento Mori from her Peace and Noise album, before circling back to the Buddy song. Recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival @ the Auditorium Stravinski on July 3rd, 2005. The show was released on BluRay and DVD in 2012.
BreakTime: Motor City Mama b/w Be Mine
New Jersey old school band BreakTime are upping the ante with a new double A-side, Motor City Mama b/w Be Mine. No bonus points for guessing their main influences. Their song on a cool Detroit woman will get them plays on oldies radio stations looking for something fresh - reffing motor sounds included in the coda. The Mersey Beat-inspired love song doesn't really gel, as they skirt around the rhythm searching for a safe spot to land, which is a shame, because the vocals deserve a better backing.
June 23, 2023
Dom La Lena: "Last Day" video
Brazilian cellist Dom La Lena has shared a video for Last Day, a track from her Leon album: "She laid down the tracks for her new album Leon in a flurry of concentrated inspiration in just two weeks. That is no small feat considering the rich textures and diverse sonic imagery. Named after her instrument's nick name she has found a way to transfer her emotions into music". The clip was directed by Jeremiah.
Oh Hazar: Ivory
Dutch art rock band Oh Hazar takes a stand against the misuse of power in the art scene on their debut single Ivory. The privileged people at the top are holed up in their proverbial ivory tower and expect everyone - and more specifically women - to do their bidding.
Amidst a wealth of dark and abstract post-punk guitars plus a healthy dose of feedback, singer Imke Loeffen rises above the well-constructed mayhem, spitting out her accusations. If the band can keeps this up, the future looks bright for them and they will be making the rounds on the club circuit real soon. The video was directed by Poeria Abdolbaghai.
June 22, 2023
John Cale: Athens 2023/06/19 setlist
John Cale performed at Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, Greece - June 19, 2023. With the Athens Philharmonia Orchestra.
The band:
John Cale: vocals, electric guitar, keyboards
Dustin Boyer: lead guitar, samples
Joey Maramba: bass
Alex Thomas: drums, synths
Setlist:
- Jumbo in tha Modernworld
- Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
- Ghost Story
- Mercy
- Helen of Troy
- Half Past France
- Hanky Panky Nohow
- Moonstruck (Nico's Song)
- I'm Waiting for the Man
- Hedda Gabler
- Sunday Morning
- Ship of Fools
- Noise of You
- Hatred
- Barracuda
- Heartbreak Hotel
Tardigrade: All That Glitters Isn't Gold
Dutch indie quartet Tardigrade switches between crunchy grunge and jazz on their debut EP All That Glitters Isn't Gold, with lead singer Eva Burger keeping it all together with her crystal clear vocals. All four songs are dealing with the troubles and insecurities of growing up.
Daisy describes the confusion of the early stages of falling in love, with guitars screaming at the heavens trying to get an answer. The band truly thrives when they allow themselves some leeway, and it all falls into place during Sword And Arrow, going through hills and valleys, with equal billing for soft passages and crescendos. Don't be surprised when they go all out when they play it live.
June 21, 2023
John Cale: performing at the Luna Fest in Portugal
John Cale will perform @ Luna Fest (Praça da Canção) in Coimbra, Portugal on August 16.
Steven Wilson: "Drive Home" video 4K upgrade
Steven Wilson has posted a 4K upgrade of the classic Drive Home video:
This year marks the tenth anniversary of my third album The Raven that Refused to Sing. Back then I was remixing the classic seventies music of progressive rock bands King Crimson, Yes, Gentle Giant, and Jethro Tull on an almost daily basis, so my head being full of their music the album became a sort of homage to that style and era. A somewhat nostalgic trip then, but one I’m still very proud of. The album was recorded mostly live in the studio at East West in Los Angeles with my amazing band at the time; Adam Holzman, Nick Beggs, Guthrie Govan, Theo Travis and Marco Minnemann, and engineered by the legendary Alan Parsons, who gave it a really golden sound.
Swansea Sound: "Keep Your Head On" video
English indie rock band Swansea Sound have made a video for Keep Your Head On, the lead single from their forthcoming new album Twentieth Century. They seek to offer solace to anyone who has trouble dealing with the political turmoil and shit load of fake news that are part of everyday life now. A slice of keyboard-driven melancholy that is uplifting.
June 20, 2023
Mason Lowe: Hanging Around
Seattle based musician Mason Lowe takes it down a notch on his new single Hanging Around, a hybrid of upbeat power pop-tinged vocals and melodic glam rock guitar. It is a celebration of taking it easy and letting go. He knows it is not going to last, but this carefree attitude is quite endearing.
Roger Goula: Ecosystems
Composer and multi-instrumentalist Roger Goula makes a living scoring films and writing music for TV and theatre. His cinematic, neo-classical approach has spilled over to his output as a recording artist. On his second album Ecosystems he makes a plea without words to take good care of the world and all life forms on it. Becoming a father made him realise how fragile and beautiful new-born life is. Before he knew it he had written Gift about that life-changing event and that composition became the launch pad for a series of pieces about balance and harmony, and how everything is connected.
It could have turned into a cumbersome New Age record, but Goula has successfully avoided all the clichés and pitfalls, often doing so by inserting harsh, distorted synth flourishes or a pulsating back beat as counterpoints for the overall gentle flow, a modus operandi that reaches a peak during Broken Harmony. By careful use tension and release Ecosystems has an urgency that will make the listener sit up and take notice. It should be enjoyed as a whole as an immersive experience, with only short pause that might be needed to flip the record.
Tape Op "DISCussion" Episode 34: Rafiq Bhatia
Tape Op has posted a new episode of their DISCussion podcast series. They get on the phone with an artist or producer to discuss an album they love. In episode 34 experimental musician Rafiq Bhatia talks about guitarist Bill Frisell's album with bassist Dave Holland and drummer Elvin Jones.
June 19, 2023
Jumble Hole Clough: short film "Prisoner of The Jackdaws"
Colin Robinson filmed "a plethora of jackdaws, one magpie and one squirrel" in the forests near Hebden Bridge for his short film Prisoner of The Jackdaws and used tracks from his You're Our Prisoner Now (and other dreams) album one-man project Jumble Hole Clough for the soundtrack. Antie Beeb never uses generative music for wild life documentaries, but watching this should changed the minds of the people in charge.
» Jumble Hole Clough on Facebook
HCTF review of You're Our Prisoner Now (and other dreams)
HCTF premiere - The History of Gunpowder: "The Epileptic" video
Canadian blues band The History of Gunpowder set up shop in the Weird Church in Cumberland, BC last year to film and record the creation of their new album. The full movie is titled Swallows and will debut on the big screen at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver on September 1st, 2023. As a first taste they have unleashed an intense version of The Epilectic.
June 18, 2023
Words about music (694): Billie Holiday
No two people on earth are alike, and it's got to be that way in music or it isn't music.
Billie Holiday
June 17, 2023
Seba Safe: I Wonder
photo: Bryony Coles
Irish songwriter Michael D'Alton, who goes by the stage name Seba Safe, goes for radio-friendly pop-infused folk on his new single I Wonder, a track that is summation of two years rumblings about loss, fear and love. He skirts the mainstream, but there is plenty of good stuff to appease people with a more advanced taste as well. It is a track from his new EP Rainy, due for release on June 30.
June 16, 2023
Rory Gallagher: stream "Moonchild" from new album "All Around Man – Live In London"
Moonchild, a track from the A new Rory Gallagher live album All Around Man – Live In London has hit the streaming services. The album will be released as a 2CD and 3LP set on July 7th. The tracks were recorded during a two-night at Town and Country Club in London on December 28 and 29, 1990, when he was promoting his Fresh Evidence album.
The 23 tracks have been mixed from the recently found multi-tracks and mastered at Abbey Road. The cover is a painting by Irish graffiti artist Vincent Zara.
The Hannah Barberas: "You're So?!" video
Watch the video for Fantastic Tales of the Sea by English DIY quartet band The Hannah Barberas. It is a track from their Mauvaise Foi album: "Taking cues from bands like The Kinks and Tugboat Captain they serve a 12-course meal of folk, pop and a bit of rock, that is quite tasty. It isn't mandatory to sing along, but it's hard not too. Failing that, toe tapping and grinning like a Cheshire cat can not be avoided..
Live date:- 06/30 London, UK @ The Amersham Arms
» The Hannah Barberas on Facebook
HCTF review of Fantastic Tales of the Sea.
The Ploctones: Back on the Ploc! tour
Dutch adventurous jazz rock quartet The Ploctones have reunited and will be playing a string of shows in September. Anton Goudmit (guitar), Efraïm Trujillo (saxophone), Jeroen Vierdag (electric and double bass) and Martijn Vink (drums) love taking risks, but are not above good old-fashioned crowd pleasing. The Back on the Ploc! tour kicks off in Tilburg on September 8.
Live dates:- 09/08 Tilburg @ Paradox
- 09/09 Amsterdam @ BIMhuis
- 09/13 Nijmegen @ De Lindenberg
- 09/15 Middelburg @ De Spot
- 09/16 Rotterdam @ LantarenVenster
- 09/22 Alkmaar @ Podium Victorie
- 10/14 Den Bosch @ Verkadefabriek
June 15, 2023
Declan Welsh & The Decadent West: First To Know
photo: Graham Noble
Glaswegian quartet Declan Welsh & The Decadent West come close to the edge on their new single First To Know. The protagonist is at his wits end and is contemplating giving in if it wasn't for his friends reaching and pulling him back. The contrast by almost upbeat music and the dark lyrics make it a pretty intense listening experience.
Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade: Hunt For Green October Tour dates
Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade have added ten more dates to their tour. Dubbed the Hunt For Green October they will resume touring in Oakland on October 11. They will perform two sets, including on ePink Floyd's album Animals in its entirety.
June 14, 2023
Microwolf: Burning Crops
Dutch musician Benjamin van Vliet is back with a new single from his one-man project Microwolf. Burning Crops is a lo-fi avant-jazz excursion with elements of folk and triphop. With the aid of Romke Burger (saxophone), Jarno van Es (Fender Rhodes, percussion and bells) and his Microplaza band mate Arno Breuer (additional guitar) he has created a tapestry of sounds, flowing around his subdued vocals. Van Vliet's compositions are like filigree. They might appear fragile, but they are actually quite sturdy.
June 13, 2023
Les Lullies: "Dernier Soir" video
Watch the video for Dernier Soir by French garage punk band Les Lullies. It is a track from their Mauvaise Foi album: "The Montpellier based quartet has honed their craft since 2016 and don't settle for the safe route, inserting smart hooks and twists and turns that will catch the pogo crowds at their concerts off guard and quite possibly in mid-air". The clip was directed by Enguerran Prieu.
HCTF review of Mauvaise Foi.
John Andrews & The Yawns: The Lagniappe Sessions @ Aquarium Drunkard
Alternative indie band John Andrews & The Yawns recorded four covers for Aquarium Drunkard's The Lagniappe Sessions: Vashti Bunyan's Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind (MP3), Arthur Russell's Nobody Wants A Lonely Heart, (MP3), Little Wings' The Shredder (MP3) and The Alessi Brothers' Seabird (MP3). About the latter:
This is another lo-fi, sloppy, 4 track, live recording of Max Clarke, Michael Stasiak and I just messing around in a practice space. No overdubs and first take. I mess up the lyrics right away but whatever. “Seabird” is such a good song. The Alessi brothers are hot and have great hair.Live dates:
- 06/18 PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia, PA
- 06/20 Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
- 06/21 Tubby's Kingston, Kingston, NY
- 06/22 Comet Ping Pong, Washington, DC
- 06/23 Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC
- 06/24 Cat's Cradle Back Room, Carrboro, NC
June 12, 2023
The Hannah Barberas: Fantastic Tales of the Sea
English DIY quartet The Hannah Barberas named themselves after the animation studio Hanna-Barbera that created classics like The Flintstones, The Yogi Bear Show, Top Cat, and The Jetsons. It makes sense, given their quirky sense of humour that is all over their lyrics. Their new album Fantastic Tales of the Sea is an upbeat collection of songs, with heartfelt pleas to take it easy (An Insatiable Lust for Laziness) and the relief when unwanted visitors have finally left the premises, so it is OK to restart the festivities with the close circle of friends, and do it right this time (Party from Hell).
Taking cues from bands like The Kinks and Tugboat Captain they serve a 12-course meal of folk, pop and a bit of rock, that is quite tasty. It isn't mandatory to sing along, but it's hard not too. Failing that, toe tapping and grinning like a Cheshire cat can not be avoided.
MJ Ross: Sky Drifter
Electronic musician MJ Ross follows the path that was created by Jean Michel Jarre on his Sky Drifter single. His classical piano training was put to good use for the creation a short runs of recurring notes that take on different meanings when the back beat changes a bit. With rhythm and melody playing catch, he has created a Sci-Fi inspired instrumental that bodes well for his debut album Dystopiac, due for release on September 30.
June 11, 2023
La Faute: "Sorry I Can't Stay" video
La Faute, nom-de-plume of Toronto based dream pop singer and mult-instrumentalist Peggy Messing, has unveiled a video for Sorry I Can't Stay, a track from her Blue Girl Nice Day album: "It has a kaleidoscopic quality, twirling and captivating, a rabbit hole for the listener to dive into and end up in Messing's alternate universe where everything is slightly different. She has found a way to transform her health issues and other troubles into stepping stones to get on top of them".
John Cale: Madrid 2023/06/10 setlist
photo: Marlene Marino
John Cale performed at Estación del Norte Gran Teatro in Madrid, Spain - June 10, 2023. Part of the Primavera Sound Festival.
The band:
John Cale: vocals, electric guitar, keyboards
Dustin Boyer: lead guitar, samples
Joey Maramba: bass
Alex Thomas: drums, synths
Setlist:
- Jumbo in tha Modernworld
- Guts
- Rosegarden Funeral of Sores
- Moonstruck (Nico's Song)
- Barracuda
- Cable Hogue
- Out Your Window
- Gun > Pablo Picasso
Words about music (693): Jacques Brel
When you write a song, most of the words you use are in black and white, and then, from time to time, you use one that’s in color. These words in colour are a part of ourselves, because we give them a meaning. If you like, we give them a third dimension.
Jacques Brel
June 10, 2023
Cover Me: I Am The Walrus
Retrofile: Broke Generation
Canadian dance pop Retrofile are in full-on 80s mode on their new single, Broke Generation. Twin brothers Luke and Noah Martino are incurable optimists, who like to offer their age demographic a positive outlook on life. Their voices blend seamlessly, even when they are reaching for the upper registers. A sunny side up mainstream ditty with a rather smart funky bass part that will get them plenty of airplay this Summer.
Hallan: The Noise Of A Firing Gun
photo: Will Hutchinson
Portsmouth based electronics infused post-punk quartet Hallan sing about violence and war on their new The Noise Of A Firing Gun EP. Unwomanly Face Of War was inspired by Svetlana Alexievich's debut novel for their fast-paced new single, in which she describes the horrors women were facing in the Second World War when they were called up to fight. The Colline Gate tells the tale of the Vestal Virgins who did not play by the rules in Ancient Rome. Religion is fun, right.
Cut With The Kitchen Knife is closer to home, taking a swipe at domestic violence. The final track Sisyphus, with its a wall of distorted guitars and accusing spoken word, deals with the futility of a senseless task and the stubborness or even stupidity of persisting at it. The Noise Of A Firing Gun is pretty bleak, but they their mix of The Cure and The Sisters of Mercy meeting Henry Rollins will get a rise out of a live audience, because it is a call to arms to make a change that they can dance too.
June 09, 2023
John Cale: Oslo 2023/06/08 setlist
John Cale performed at the Loaded Festival, Oslo, Norway - June 8, 2023.
The band:
John Cale: vocals, electric guitar, keyboards
Dustin Boyer: lead guitar, samples
Joey Maramba: bass
Alex Thomas: drums, synths
Setlist:
- Jumbo in tha Modernworld
- Guts
- Night Crawling
- Moonstruck (Nico's Song)
- Cable Hogue
- Out Your Window
- I'm Waiting for the Man
- Noise of You
- Hatred
- Villa Albani
Metallica / Spiral Starecase mashup: More Today Than Yesterday
Bill McClintock made a mashup of Metallica and Spiral Starecase: More Today Than Yesterday + The Unforgiven = More Forgiven Today Than Yesterday. O, and some snippets of War's Low Rider and For Whom the Bell Tolls are in there as well. Want more? His YouTube channel has lots of them.
June 08, 2023
Kaki King: three shows in The Netherlands
Guitar virtuoso Kaki King has annouced three shows in The Netherlands, as part of the 20th Anniversary of her debut album Everybody Loves You.
Live dates:- 11/11 Groningen, Netherlands @ Rockit
- 11/12 Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Bimhuis
- 11/13 Utrecht, Netherlands @ TivoliVredenburg
Love Interest: Motherwound
Detroit based gothic post-punkers Love Interest show some righteous anger on their debut EP Motherwound. Fronted by activist Jex Blackmore they take a well-deserved swipe at the Catholic church taking away children (Wretched Sisters), but it is the opener Kursk that is the most intense of the four songs. On this track they use the perspective of a mother who lost her son when the Russian submarine sank in 2000, and the powers that be failed on all accounts.
Motherwound is an outcry that should be played loud. "Never forget" might be a cliché now, but the pain of loss never goes away. With Blackmore as a powerful spokesperson, the stories will be told again and again, even to those who don't want to hear them.
June 07, 2023
Brian Eno: tour dates
Brian Eno will be on tour. Yes, really. It is his first as a solo artist. He will be accompanied by the Baltic Sea Philharmonic, actor Peter Serafinowicz and his trusted collaborators Leo Abrahams and Peter Chilvers will contribute as well. The main focus of the shows will be on his 2016 album The Ship, a loose parable about technology and hubris that came together in the construction (and sinking) of the Titanic.
It's Karma It's Cool: Thrift Store Troubadours
English neo-psychedelic power pop quartet It's Karma It's Cool are in a melancholic mood on their new album Thrift Store Troubadours. They sound mostly cheerful and upbeat, but the lyrics tell another story. Time flies and there is no way of slowing it down, although looking back may help a bit to cope. Songs like the glam rock infused Old Bones and gentle 70s strut they used for Ghosts Wear Jeans serve as vessels for serious soul-searching. The acoustic intro of Jenni, We're All Fighting Wars will be a head-scratcher for all budding guitarists.
Singer James Styring is a fine form, but it is the rhythm section that steals the show. Mikey Barraclough and drummer Danny Krash do not settle for a simplicity, but provide a backbeat that is a challenge for guitarist Martyn Bewick. Anyone with a craving for the nearly lost art of the middle-eight will love it. And let's not forget they got dB's member Peter Holsapple to pitch in. He needs just a few notes to introduce himself, playing the keyboards on A Gentle Reminder. That particular song celebrates the comfort that only music can bring when dealing with anxieties, both real and imagined. And if doesn't do the trick, turn it up.
June 06, 2023
Ward White: "Like A Bridge" video
Watch the new Ward White video for Like A Bridge, a track from his new album, Ice Cream Chords: "a worthy successor to an album that put him on the map after years of hard work. Sonically it is a treasure trove of smart hooks and intricate rhythm shifts. It might well be considered in years to come as part of the "Twin Peaks" in his discography". The clip was made by Heidi Adams.
Tenacious D: Wicked Game
June 05, 2023
Graham Parker & The Goldtops: Them Bugs b/w The Ologist Song
English melodic garage rocker Graham Parker is still going strong. He was a forerunner of what become known as New Wave with his debut album Howlin' Wind and he never stopped. The only thing that changed were the names and the musicians of his backing bands. Right now he can rely on The Goldtops. Simon Edwards (bass), Jim Russell (drums) and Martin Belmont (guitar) proof that they can swing with the double whammy Them Bugs, a hilarious ditty about being stung in highly uncomfortable places, and The Ologist Song. On the latter The Lady Bugs provide an extra layer of soulful vocals. Oddly enough that one did not make the cut for his new album Last Chance To Learn The Twist, which will be released in September.
Amigo the Devil: European tour dates
photo: Good Boy Digital Originals
American singer-songwriter Danny Kiranos, who goes by the stage name Amigo the Devil, has the knack to sing about dark subjects like hate, suicide and depression, but somehow make it entertaining. He is a folkie first, but there is quite a bit of rock and vaudeville in there as well. He is a natural storyteller with a gruff voice, who can turn a music venue into a speakeasy where the clientele has the courtesy to shut up to hang on to his every word.
June 04, 2023
Words about music (692): Art Garfunkel
I'm the kind of person who can hear that stuff. If you sing along to the radio and you're not going to sing unison with the melody, but find the harmony, I find that pretty easy to do.
Art Garfunkel
John Cale: Barcelona 2023/06/03 setlist
John Cale performed at Parc del Fòrum, Sant Adrià de Besòs (Barcelona), Spain - June 3, 2023. Part of the Primavera Sound Festival.
The band:
John Cale: vocals, electric guitar, keyboards
Dustin Boyer: lead guitar, samples
Joey Maramba: bass
Alex Thomas: drums, synths
Setlist:
- Jumbo in tha Modernworld
- Guts
- Night Crawling
- Moonstruck (Nico's Song)
- Rosegarden Funeral of Sores
- Cable Hogue
- I'm Waiting for the Man
- Out Your Window
- Noise of You
- Villa Albani
- E: Heartbreak Hotel
June 03, 2023
Gov't Mule: "Make My Peace" from new album "Peace...Like A River"
Blues rock quartet Gov't Mule will release their new album Peace...Like A River on June 16. They have released the sprawling Make My Peace as another taste of what's to come. Singer and guitarist Warren Haynes:
Made My Peace is one of the first songs we recorded for this new album and portrays the most Beatles influence we’ve ever utilized on a recording. It deals with a lot of different aspects of what we’ve all gone through. It touches on the emotions I was having to get past with the loss of my dad, who was an extremely important figure in my life. There are several songs that reflect on loss, but more in a way of making the future count. Taking the rest of your life and looking at it with a fresher, more aggressively positive attitude.
All tracks were recorded during the sessions for their previous album Heavy Load Blues in 2021 @ The Power Station in Waterford, Connecticut. They used separate rooms, gear and instruments to make sure they got a different overall sound. The album is available for pre-order here.
» mule.net
Rory Gallagher: stream "Heaven's Gate" from new album "All Around Man – Live In London"
Heaven's Gate, a track from the A new Rory Gallagher live album All Around Man – Live In London has hit the streaming services. The album will be released as a 2CD and 3LP set on July 7th. The tracks were recorded during a two-night at Town and Country Club in London on December 28 and 29, 1990, when he was promoting his Fresh Evidence album.
The 23 tracks have been mixed from the recently found multi-tracks and mastered at Abbey Road. The cover is a painting by Irish graffiti artist Vincent Zara.
June 02, 2023
Broeder Dieleman: Ochtendvier
photo: Mick de Witte
Dutch troubadour Broeder Dieleman joined forces with American singer Baby Dee for his new single Ochtendvier, a first taste from his forthcoming new album O Mijn Ziel. He sings in his in the dialect of his native Zeeland in this reworking of Dee's Morning Fire - Dee sings the original lyrics in English. It is a hopeful song and the two voices blend together quite well.
June 01, 2023
Skep Wax Summer Fête in London: Swansea Sound, Panic Pocket and Special Friend
Indie bands - and Skep Wax label mates - Swansea Sound, Panic Pocket and Special Friend will take over the Lexington in London on June 30 for a Summer Fête. And since it is a feast there will also be a raffle, tombola, pin-the-badge-on-the-indie, and other traditional pursuits. Swansea Sound will be playing songs from their forthcoming new album Twentieth Century.
Tickets costs a measly £11.00- and are available here.
Deleyaman: The Sudbury Inn
It won't come as a surprise to long time followers of French-American dark wave band Deleyaman to find that once more they have been inspired by fabled poets and authors like Paul Verlaine and Emily Brontë for their new album The Sudbury Inn. The band's core members, multi-instrumentalist Aret Madilian and singer Beatrice Valantin position themselves as outsiders looking in, as if they were eavesdropping on an imaginary meeting of the masters and taking notes. After that, it was back to the drawing board to write the music that would be a worthy match for the words, from post-punk to jazz and dream pop to be in sync with the mood and the rhythm.
They used the words from the prelude of Tales of a Wayside Inn for the title track. Written in 1862 by the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow about seven travelers telling their tales at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury. It is the centre of the album, the sun as it were, with the other circling around it. Paul Dunbar's poem Spring Song is transformed into a pastoral folk song, Emily Brontë's Moonlight, summer moonlight finds itself reinvented as gentle swaying jazzy rocker The Late Hour. Amidst all these heavy hitters Madilian stands his ground with the originals A Tale, Another Evening and Silent Ship, the latter serving as the closing track, as if the band's is waving for goodbye as they set sail to discover the gems for their next album.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)